In a tragedy that has left an entire community in tears, the family of seven-year-old Nyla May Bradshaw has bravely shared a poignant video capturing the little girl’s last innocent moments. Captured just before the unimaginable happened, the footage shows Nyla happily playing, her voice ringing out with cheerful calls of “Mummy!” and “Daddy!” — completely unaware of the danger lurking nearby.

Nyla, a severely autistic and non-verbal child from Skellow in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was described by those who knew her as a bundle of pure light and energy. Despite her challenges, she had a smile that could brighten any room and a joyful spirit that touched everyone around her. Her parents, Hayley Beardsley and Kieran Bradshaw, often spoke of how she was their whole world — a little girl full of love who brought endless happiness to the family.

On the morning of March 30, 2026, Hayley dropped Nyla off with a new childminder for the first time. The parents had specifically warned the carer that their daughter was a “flight risk” — she had no sense of danger and was usually kept on reins when outside due to her autism. Usual carers were unavailable, and the family had turned to a specialist minder recommended through social media.

Tragically, within hours, everything changed. Just before 10am, Nyla went missing while in the carer’s care during what was reportedly a walk near a park. A frantic search involving police, drones, and a helicopter was launched. Her tiny body was later found in a pond on the grounds of Owston Hall Golf Course, some distance from where she had last been seen.

The family’s shared video has shattered hearts worldwide. In those final frames, Nyla appears carefree and full of life, her innocent calls echoing a normal, happy morning that no parent could ever imagine ending in such devastation. Friends and family have described the pain as unbearable — one moment a perfectly healthy, energetic child running around, the next, gone forever.

Tributes have poured in for the “sweetest,” “magical” little girl who never seemed to know sadness. Floral tributes and soft toys now line the area near the pond, a silent testament to a life cut far too short. Her father called her his best friend, while her mother expressed both profound grief and deep anger, stating she had made the risks crystal clear to the childminder.

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances, describing it as a heartbreaking accident. A multi-agency review has been launched to examine the circumstances, particularly around specialist childcare for children with complex needs like autism.

As the family grapples with a future without their beloved daughter, a fundraiser has raised thousands of pounds in Nyla’s memory. Messages from loved ones paint a picture of a child who was deeply cherished — “full of light,” always happy, and impossible to forget.

This devastating loss highlights the vulnerabilities faced by autistic children and the critical importance of proper safeguards in childcare. For Nyla’s family, the pain of those last joyful calls will echo forever — a final, innocent goodbye that no parent should ever have to witness.